Oct 15 Call us back to You

Father, even now, You give Words to Jeremiah for the people’s salvation.  Your mercy is so great that even after all they have done, You will spare them, if only they will turn back to You.

This is Your heart.  That Your people will do the right thing.  That they will love You, and return to You.  That they will turn away from the things that are bringing them harm and death, and turn to You to receive life!

They had Your Word.  It had been found in the Temple when Josiah, King of Judah had the Temple repaired.  It caused a major revival in the young King.  And in the people too, for a time.

But Josiah’s son, who came next, was not a godly king.  And the pull of idolatry was strong.  And Your Word was not readily available to the people, so they relied on the leaders and priests to lead them.

Unfortunately, the priests had been doing their own thing for so long, most were not familiar with or devoted to Your Word.

Father, I have loved ones who are also pretty much doing their own thing.  Yet You are calling them back to You with that same heart, wanting them to come to You and receive life.

My world is full of all kinds of idolatry, and the pull is strong.  Father, send someone into their lives who they will listen to.  Help them let go of the things that are causing them harm and leading them to death.

And let my faith be as strong as Jeremiah’s.  Even in the face of threatened death, He stood strong in knowing You were there.  You had told him: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”  And “Do not be terrified…they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you.”

Father, those words are for me too.  And just as You knew Jeremiah, even before he was born, You also know me.  Just as You rescued him, You have rescued me.

You are the Lord of peace.  Father, I so need Your peace.  From my own doubts in understanding Your direction for my life, to relationships that are not all they could be, to the direction my country and the world seem to be heading.

Would You “give me peace at all times and in every way.”  I cling to You.  And look to You.  Only Your peace satisfies.  Amen

Jeremiah 1:5,17,19; 26:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Apr 24 Generations

Lord I can see how a generation of Israelites grew up different from their parents. They did not see the amazing battle victories and miraculous deliverances that You did for their parents. There was not as much visible reason to be grateful to You. Their peace was provided at seemingly no cost. They turned away from You.

My father and grandfathers lived in a time when there was war and the freedom for America had to be fought for and defended. Sometimes called “the Greatest Generation”, they poured into institutions and community in a sacrificial way to create a better life for their children and grandchildren.

My generation benefitted from that and in enjoying the freedom, stood on their shoulders to reach farther in science, technology and all kinds of advances because we didn’t have to worry about our national security. In that era of peace and advancement, we blessed our children with a sheltered, problem-free life.

I have seen in this generation of 25-40 “somethings”, some men and women who, not seeing their parents go off to war, never had their security threatened until 911, and grew into a people with a sense of entitlement. Many believe the world owes them a living doing whatever they choose to do. And the government owes them security without any of them having to fight for it. They seem unwilling to live a disciplined life to secure what they want.

But I also see many of them who are sold out to You, and living godly lives despite the worldly attitudes around them. Lord, encourage and strengthen them.

May all our generations wake up and realize how far we have come from true worship of the One True God before we are, like the Israelites, handed over to our enemies.   You raised up judges, deliverers in those days. I pray we will listen to the voice of those You send to wake us up.

Judges 2:10-23